Great Harwood 1 Mossley 1

GREAT HARWOOD put in one of their best performances of the season to get a point against top-of-the-table Mossley.

Christian Trippier got the equaliser after Mossley went ahead in the first half.

Denis Underwood was delighted to see his side show the grit and determination that was sometimes lacking last year, when they struggled to avoid relegation from NWCL Division One.

"Mossley showed why they were top of the league but we showed that we have come a long way since last season," said Underwood.

"People are listening more, doing the right things and doing them in the right areas."

A decent crowd at the Showground saw Harwood have the better of the opening minutes and Graham Lightbowne had chances to put the side in front.

He saw one header hit the bar and saw the visiting keeper save another.

Then on 25 minutes, Mossley broke down the right and their top striker converted to put the visitors in front.

"It was a difficult break to defend," said Underwood. "He got a lucky break, he put a first time ball in, I can't put it down to anyone. With quality like that you can't do much about it.

"I was reasonably happy at half-time even though we were 1-0 down and we went all guns blazing at the start of the second half."

Harwood got the equaliser when Lee Slater broke down the right and the keeper dropped the cross for Christian Trippier to fire home from six yards.

James Coonan saw a header flash just wide and Matt Raywood also had a chance to put the home side in front but he saw the keeper pull off a fantastic save from his header.

Harwood play Second Division high-flyers Stand on Saturday in the Worthington Challenge Trophy.